PIONEER THROUGH THE
DEVELOPMENT WORK IN
CATHODE PLATE SOLUTIONS
AUTOMATED CATHODE PLATE PRODUCTION

Automated cathode plate production is an efficient method for attaching edge strips to new aluminium or steel cathode plate blanks. The total capacity of the production line is 40–60 meters of cathode plate per hour.

In the case of aluminium plates used in zinc electrolysis, the required equipment are integrated into the Cathodex production line, whereby the plates are first lifted and then positioned in the production line. After brushing the edges of the plate and heating the plate, the edge strip is welded to both edges of the plate simultaneously using an extrusion method. After that, an automated unit cuts the strips and separates the plates. The plates are then transported through a cooling unit. Following that, a unit finalises the ends of the edge strips and moves the plates which have been fitted with edge strips to wait for any additional processing, such as the fixing of hanger bars.

In the case of steel cathode plates, a production unit can comprise, in addition to the Cathodex production line: a punching unit, a V-groove machine and a straightening unit. In steel plates, perforation of the plate edges is used instead of brushing. If no bottom strip is manufactured for the cathode plate, a groove can be machined to the bottom edge in a separate unit to facilitate the removal of cathode copper. The plates with edge strips can then be run through a straightening unit to ensure the straightness tolerances of the plate.